Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
The Small-Scale Activities Grant Program supports Indigenous artists, cultural workers, groups, collectives, and organizations in Canada through the Creating, Knowing and Sharing framework. The program aims to strengthen a resilient Indigenous arts ecosystem while respecting Indigenous cultural sovereignty, self-determination, and the leadership of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
It funds short-term, focused activities that contribute to artistic production, cultural knowledge sharing, professional development, and community-based cultural engagement.
Program Overview
- Supports Indigenous-led arts and cultural activities in Canada
- Focuses on Creating, Knowing, and Sharing artistic and cultural practices
- Strengthens Indigenous cultural sovereignty and self-determination
- Supports career development and artistic growth
- Encourages engagement with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural carriers
- Provides funding up to CAD 5,000 per year
- Applicants may submit up to two applications per calendar year
Key Program Areas
Creating
- Artistic production and development of new works
- Acquisition of specialized materials for creative practice
- Participation in artistic development opportunities
- Support for Indigenous-led creative projects
Knowing
- Cultural knowledge sharing and transmission
- Engagement with Elders and Knowledge Keepers
- Artistic training and mentorship activities
- Career development for Indigenous artists and cultural workers
- Preservation and continuation of cultural practices
Sharing
- Workshops, conferences, and symposium participation
- Artistic outreach and community engagement activities
- Marketing and dissemination of artistic work
- Travel related directly to cultural or artistic activities
- Public sharing of Indigenous artistic practices and knowledge
Funding Details
- Maximum funding: CAD 5,000 per year
- Maximum applications: 2 per applicant per year
- Supports short-term, focused cultural and artistic activities
- Covers direct project-related costs only
Eligible Expenses
- Fees and honoraria for artists, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers
- Cultural and artistic training or consultation fees
- Labour costs for cultural knowledge sharing
- Costs for collecting or harvesting artistic materials
- Safety-related expenses for participants
- Dependent care costs enabling participation
- Travel directly related to approved activities
- Materials and supplies for artistic production
- Workshop, conference, and symposium participation costs
Ineligible Expenses
- Fashion modelling activities
- Hunting and trapping unrelated to artistic practice
- Activities solely focused on ceremony
- Capital expenses such as:
- Studio space
- Studio equipment
- Computers
- Cell phones
Eligible Applicants
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists
- Indigenous cultural workers and carriers
- Emerging Indigenous artists
- Indigenous groups and collectives
- Not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations working in Indigenous arts
Applicants already receiving core funding are not eligible.
Eligibility Requirements
- Projects must be Indigenous-led
- Leadership must come from eligible First Nations, Inuit, or Métis artists or cultural professionals
- Collaboration is allowed, but Indigenous leadership is mandatory
- Activities must align with cultural and artistic development goals
Program Objectives
- Strengthen Indigenous arts ecosystems in Canada
- Support cultural continuity and intergenerational knowledge transfer
- Enable Indigenous-led artistic creation and innovation
- Increase access to professional development opportunities
- Support community engagement through arts and culture
- Uphold Indigenous cultural sovereignty and self-determination
Key Selection Priorities
- Strong Indigenous leadership and cultural grounding
- Clear artistic or cultural development focus
- Contribution to knowledge sharing and transmission
- Community relevance and engagement
- Feasible and well-defined short-term project design
- Respect for Indigenous cultural practices and protocols
Conclusion
The Small-Scale Activities Grant Program provides accessible funding for Indigenous-led artistic and cultural initiatives in Canada. By supporting creation, knowledge sharing, and professional development, the program strengthens Indigenous cultural expression, preserves traditional knowledge, and supports the growth of a resilient and self-determined Indigenous arts ecosystem.
For more information, visit Canada Council for the Arts.
